Sunday 25 October 2009

Crafty cria

We have thought for some time that Gem was not feeding Charlie that well as he spent a lot of time with Chan and his mum Hiccup - today our thoughts were confirmed. Hiccup is feeding two cria. Right in front of the window this morning were the two of them feeding together. Chan, Hiccup's own cria stands closer to her with Charlie farther away.







This brings me on to another subject especially relevant to this time of year - feeding. We feed Camelibra and hay ad lib during the summer, also we feed speedi beet to nursing mothers and we have also fed bruised oats. We feed lucerne when we don't have good quality hay. The grass has been good this year, with plenty of it but as it deteriorates we need to think of winter feeding.



At the Royal Show we purchased a bucket mineral lick but none of them seem to have used it, we also bought a vitamin drench which we have not used as yet. All our animals look well so we want to keep them that way without overfeeding (or spending unnecessarily). After reading recent blogs associated with vitamin problems we do not want to overdo unnecessary additives but also want to make sure our animals don't miss out. The cria will have their monthly vitamin injection during the winter
We would love your comments/suggestions on feeding.



Making the most of a fine day was grand daughter Holly - enjoying her swing in the oak tree.

Tuesday 6 October 2009

Pain then Reward

Pain for 'Wellground Scriptwriter' that is but good news for us. Princess rejected his advances so hopefully next September we will have a young Scripwriter running around. To console him he was introduced to Atlantic Hope who certainly didn't reject his advances. Princess is a solid white and Hope is a dark fawn so we may have a variety next year. Hope's last cria was by the wonderful 'Samson' and is a solid white with a wonderful fleece - hopefully a herd sire of the future.

The other ladies and young males had a routine maintenance session of toe nail clipping and health checks.

We had rain today which has freshened things up. Although we needed the rain it has been wonderful to be able to get on with a variety of jobs and not make a mess, but autumn has well and truly arrived with the onset of the early nights but it has meant some wonderful sunsets.